1.                       INTRODUCTION

 

1.1                   Purpose of the Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual

 

1.1.1             The purpose of this Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual is to guide the setup of an EM&A programme to ensure the effective implementation of mitigation measures recommended in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study, relevant environmental protection, and pollution prevention and control legislation. The EM&A programme will be used to assess the effectiveness of, inter alia, the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, and to identify any further need for additional mitigation measures or remedial actions.

 

1.1.2             This Manual outlines the monitoring and audit programme for the construction and operation phases of the proposed Project, namely “Hang Hau Tsuen Channel at Lau Fau Shan” (hereinafter referred to as “the Project”). It aims to provide systematic procedures for monitoring, auditing and minimizing the environmental impacts associated with the construction works.

 

1.1.3             Findings, recommendations and requirements of the EIA, all relevant requirements under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) and other environmental legislation, the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) are adopted in the preparation of this EM&A Manual.

 

1.1.4             The EM&A requirements are prepared in accordance with the requirements stipulated in Annex 21 of the Technical Memorandum on EIA Process (EIAO-TM) and the EIA Study Brief (ESB-167/2007). Reference has also been made to EPD’s “Environmental Monitoring and Audit Guidelines for Development Projects in Hong Kong”.

 

1.1.5             This EM&A Manual contains the following information:

 

(a)                 duties of the Environmental Team (ET), the ET Leader, the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC), Engineer’s Representative (ER) and the Contractor, in relation to the project’s environmental monitoring and audit requirements during construction;

 

(b)                information on the project organisation and programming of construction activities;

 

(c)                 the project construction schedule and the necessary environmental monitoring and audit programme to track the environmental impacts;

 

(d)                requirements for the review of pollution sources and working procedures in the event of non-compliance of the project’s environmental performance criteria;

 

(e)                 environmental monitoring protocols and their technical requirements;

 

(f)                  environmental auditing procedures;

 

(g)                 requirements for the documentation of environmental monitoring and audit data, and appropriate reporting procedures; and

 

(h)                 complaint resolution procedures.

 

1.1.6             For the purpose of this EM&A Manual, the “Engineer” shall refer to the engineer as defined in the Contract and the Engineer’s Representative (ER), in cases where the Engineer’s powers have been delegated to the ER, in accordance with the Contract. The ET Leader, who shall be responsible for and in charge of the ET, shall refer to the person delegated the role of executing the environmental monitoring requirements. The IEC shall undertake the auditing role.

 

1.2                   Project Background

 

1.2.1             The squatter area in the vicinity of the existing Hang Hau Tsuen stream was cleared in 1997. The poor hydraulic performance of the Hang Hau Tsuen stream is attributed partly to the siltation of the watercourse by the remains of the former squatter structures, and also to the meandering watercourse and the presence of an under-sized box culvert at Deep Bay Road. Rapid developments in the North West New Territories and conversion of agricultural land to open storage sites and container yards leading to higher surface runoff has exacerbated the problem. A total of about 43 hectares of land is flood prone as a result of the inadequate drainage capacity of the Hang Hau Tsuen stream. The purpose of the channel project is to alleviate flooding occurred in the catchment by converting the existing Hang Hau Tsuen stream between Deep Bay and Deep Bay Road to an engineered channel that will meet the required flood protection standards.

 


1.3                   Project Location and Scope

 

1.3.1             The Project is located in Hang Hau Tsuen at Lau Fau Shan, North West New Territories. It is located between Deep Bay Road and Deep Bay. The general location plan of the Project is shown in Figure 1.1. Details of the proposed works are provided below and shown in Figures 1.2 – 1.4.

 

1.3.2             The Project comprises the construction of the Hang Hau Tsuen Channel and associated works to improve the local drainage systems in the Hang Hau Tsuen area.

 

1.3.3             The Project involves the following works:

 

(i)                  Training of Hang Hau Tsuen stream including construction of a 370 m long drainage channel connecting to the downstream ends of Fung Kong Tsuen Channel and San Hing Tsuen Channel to Deep Bay.

 

(ii)                Construction of a 25 m long triple-cell box culvert 5.5 m (W) x 3 m (H) beneath the Deep Bay Road and 4 nos. of footbridges across the channel.

 

(iii)               Provision of a 3.5 m wide access road with passing bays along the northern bank of the channel, 3.5 m wide maintenance access road along the southern bank of the channel and 2.0 m wide footpath on both sides of the channel and ancillary works such as retaining walls, drainage and water works as well as the associated landscaping works.

 

1.3.4             As requested by a Yuen Long District Council member, a viewing point and car park will be provided at the downstream end of the proposed channel to allow visitors to enjoy the scenery of Deep Bay.

 

1.4                   Project Implementation Programme

 

1.4.1             The implementation programme for the Project is tentatively expected to start in end 2009 for completion by end 2012.

 

1.5                   Mitigation Measures listed in the EIA Report

 

1.5.1             The construction and operational phases impacts of the Project are assessed and presented in the EIA Report. Mitigation measures to be implemented for air quality, noise, water quality, waste management, ecology, and landscape & visual impact are included in separate Chapters of this EM&A Manual. The implementation schedule for the full list of mitigation measures proposed under the EIA is included in Appendix A of this Manual.

 


1.6                   Project Organization

 

1.6.1             The project organisation and lines of communication with respect to environmental protection works is shown in Figure 1.5.

 

1.6.2             The general duties / responsibilities of various parties comprise the following:

 

               Contractor

 

1.6.3             The Contractor shall be responsible for:

 

(a)                 employ an ET to undertake monitoring, laboratory analysis and reporting of environmental monitoring and audit;

 

(b)                work within the scope of the relevant contract and other tender conditions;

 

(c)                 implement environmental controls and mitigation as set out in this manual as well as any additional measures necessary for compliance with the environmental control standards;

 

(d)                participate in the site inspections undertaken by the ET and IEC, as required, and undertake any corrective actions as instructed by the Engineer;

 

(e)                 provide information / advice to the ET regarding works activities which may contribute, or be continuing to the generation of adverse environmental conditions;

 

(f)                  implement measures to reduce impact whenever Action and Limit Levels are exceeded; and

 

(g)                 take responsibility and strictly adhere to the guidelines of the EM&A programme.

 

(h)                 comply with and observe all Ordinances, bye-laws, regulations and rules for the time being in force in Hong Kong governing the control of any form of pollution, including air, noise, water and waste pollution; and

 

(i)                   operate and strictly adhere to the guidelines of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) developed by the contractor.

 

              


The Engineer

 

1.6.4             The term Engineer, or Engineer’s Representative (ER), refers to the organisation responsible for overseeing the construction works or operation of the Project and monitoring the works undertaken by various Contractors, and for ensuring that the works are undertaken in accordance with the specification and contractual requirements. The Engineer shall be responsible for:

 

(a)                 ensure that the EM&A programme is fully implemented in accordance with the Environmental Permit issued upon approval of the EIA and this EM&A Manual;

 

(b)                ensure that the Contractor is implementing environmental controls and mitigation as set out in the contract specifications, Environmental Permit issued upon approval of the EIA and this EM&A Manual as well as any additional measures necessary for compliance with the environmental control standards;

 

(c)                 ensure that the Contractor is implementing and enforcing Event / Action Plans when exceedances of Action and Limit Levels or complaints occur;

 

(d)                provide assistance to the ET as necessary in the implementation of the environmental monitoring and audit programme; and

 

(e)                 implementing a `stop work' action if necessary when repeated exceedance of target levels justifies this action.

 

               Environmental Team (ET)

 

1.6.5             The ET Leader and the ET shall not be in any way an associated body of the Contractor. The ET shall be led and managed by the ET Leader. The ET Leader shall have relevant education, training, professional qualification and at least 7 years experience in EM&A for environmental management works subject to approval of the ER and EPD.

 

1.6.6             Suitable qualified staff shall be included in the ET, and resources for the implementation of the EM&A programme shall be allocated in time under the Contract, to enable fulfilment of the Project’s EM&A requirements as stipulated in the EM&A Manual.

 

1.6.7             The ET Leader and the ET shall be employed to conduct the EM&A programme and ensure the Contractor’s compliance with the Project’s environmental performance requirements during construction and operation of the Project. The duties shall include:

 

(a)                 sampling, analysis and statistical evaluation of monitoring parameters with reference to the EIA study final report recommendations and requirements;

 

(b)                establishing the Action and Limit Levels of air quality and water quality;

 

(c)                 environmental site inspections;

 

(d)                audit of compliance with the environmental protection, and pollution prevention and control regulations;

 

(e)                 monitor the implementation of environmental mitigation measures;

 

(f)                  monitor the compliance with the environmental protection clauses / specifications in the Contract;

 

(g)                 review construction and operation programme and comment as necessary;

 

(h)                 review construction and operation methodology and comment as necessary;

 

(i)                   complaint investigation, evaluation and identification of corrective measures;

 

(j)                  liaison with the IEC on all environmental performance matters, and timely submission of all relevant EM&A proforma for the approval by IEC;

 

(k)                liaison with all relevant parties during the implementation of action plans when exceedance of Action and Limit Levels occur;

 

(l)                   advice to the Contractor on environmental improvement, awareness, enhancement matters, etc. on site;

 

(m)               modify the EM&A programme in consultation with ER, IEC, EPD and AFCD if necessary throughout the period of works; and

 

(n)                 timely submission of the EM&A report to the project proponent and the EPD.

 

              


Independent Environmental Checker (IEC)

 

1.6.8             The IEC shall advise the ER on environmental issues related to the Project. The role of the IEC shall be independent from the management of construction and operation activities, but shall be empowered to audit the environmental performance of the Project.

 

1.6.9             The IEC shall be employed by the project proponent before the commencement of the Project. The IEC shall have at least 7 years experience in EM&A or environmental management. The IEC shall not be in any way an associated body of the Contractor or the ET of the Project. The appointment of the IEC is subject to the approval of the ER and project proponent.

 

1.6.10         The IEC shall audit the overall EM&A programme including the implementation of all environmental mitigation measures, submissions relating to EM&A, and any other submission required under the environmental permit.

 

1.6.11         In addition, the IEC shall be responsible for verifying the environmental acceptability of permanent and temporary works, relevant design plans, contemporaneous log-book and submissions under the environmental permit.

 

1.6.12         The IEC shall arrange and conduct monthly general site inspections of the work site during the construction period. The IEC shall ensure the impact monitoring is conducted according to the prescribed schedule at the correct locations as identified in this Manual.

 

1.6.13         The IEC shall report the findings of the site inspections and other environmental performance reviews to the project proponent and the EPD.

 

1.6.14         The main duty of the IEC is to carry out environmental audit of the construction and operation of the Project, which shall include, inter alia, the following:

 

(a)                 review and audit all aspects of the EM&A programme;

 

(b)                validate and confirm the accuracy of the monitoring results, monitoring equipment, monitoring locations, monitoring procedures and locations of sensitive receivers;

 

(c)                 carry out random sample check and audit on monitoring data and sampling procedures, etc;

 

(d)                conduct random site inspection;

 

(e)                 audit the EIA recommendations and requirements against the status of implementation of environmental protection measures on site;

 

(f)                  review the effectiveness of environmental mitigation measures and project environmental performance;

 

(g)                 on a needs basis, verify and certify the environmental acceptability of the Contractor’s construction methodology, relevant design plans and any submissions under the environmental permit. Where necessary, IEC should seek the least impact alternative in consultation with the ER, ET Leader and the Contractor;

 

(h)                 verify the investigation results of complaint cases and the effectiveness of corrective measures;

 

(i)                   review and audit in an independent, objective and professional manner in all aspects of the EM&A programme;

 

(j)                  feedback audit results to ET Leader, ER and the Contractor according to Event and Action Plans in the EM&A Manual; and

 

(k)                verify and certify EM&A Reports prepared by the ET Leader.

 

1.7                   Approved EIA Report and Environmental Permit

 

1.7.1             To deal with key project changes after the approval of the EIA report, the project proponent or the person in charge of the project shall seek written agreement from the Director of Environmental Protection (the Director) on those project changes that would affect the findings and recommendations of the approved EIA report, and shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Director that the same environmental performance requirements in the approved EIA report can be met by equivalent or additional measures.  All such information shall be reviewed by the ET Leader and verified by the IEC before submitting to the Director.  Such information shall be made available to the public, as directed by the Director.

 

1.7.2             All parties described in Section 1.6 (where applicable) are required to comply with all the environmental permit conditions.